Masters looks, amateur's hooks: Springtime arrives in the Midwest

Spring has finally arrived in the Midwest in all its spluttering, splattering, blustering glory. Not only has the gang of usual suspects emerged upon the fairways of my home course like so many thirsty, musty groundhogs from hibernation, squinting in the warming sun, but it is also MASTERS WEEK!

To any golfer in the northern hemisphere, The Masters means spring is finally here.

This past weekend, I joined the aforementioned rodents for our customary Sunday morning round. And in honor of The Masters, I donned some special Masters gear.

You see, The Masters is not just a golf tournament; it’s a sartorial event. I received an e-mail last week from Nike, detailing what all the Nike staff athletes will be wearing for the week. Apparel companies call this “scripting.” Spoiler alert – here’s what Rory McIlroy will be modeling in Augusta:

“McIlroy will sport looks from the Nike Tour Performance collection, featuring the latest innovations in lightweight, breathable performance fabrications. He will wear the Fashion Body Map Polo in Violet Force ($70), the Embossed Polo in Stadium Grey ($65), the Iconic Polo in Pink Force ($65), and the Light Weight Heather Polo in Squadron Blue ($60). He will be sporting bold colors each day with color pops in either his polo, trousers or his Nike Lunar Control footwear.”

So it was in this spirit that I broke out a new pair of Ecco BIOM Hybrid ($190) shoes with green Masters shoelaces and a pair of Kentwool’s Bubba “Green” sock ($20), commemorating the anniversary of Kentwool staff member Bubba Watson’s epic Masters win last year. Then to top it off, I cinched up Ecco’s men’s golf belt ($100) in white to match the Biom Hybrids. (Yes, white belt and shoes before Memorial Day. Screw the fashion police.)

Despite the Masters-inspired duds, I slid back into some amateur habits, including the hook that’s bedeviled be since I taught myself how to hit a draw.

Oh, well. Tomorrow is another day…and it’ll be in the mid-60s…and it’s Masters Week!

TravelGolf.com’s Kiel Christianson comments on golf technology, from balls and clubs to apparel and shoes, instruction and fitness He also blogs about the golf lifestyle, including food, wine, and golf courses and resorts around the world.

Play two rounds at Vintage Golf Club in Staples, Minnesota and stay at Camp Fire Bay Resort on Fish Trap Lake (22 miles from course) or Sandy Beach Resort on Gull Lake (30 miles from course). Both provide golfers with comfortably appointed rooms and first-class amenities on two of northern Minnesota's best fresh water fishing/boating lakes. To book, call (218) 894-9907.